Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

I will soon re-introduce legislation that would add a section to Pennsylvania's Animal Cruelty Law to specifically address when it happens in a domestic-violence situation.

All too often, an estranged spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend will get back at their spouse or partner by hurting or killing their cat, dog or other pet. Currently, if convicted of a first-degree misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty, the minimum mandatory fine one faces is $1,000 and the maximum, $10,000.

Under my legislation, if a person with a protection-from-abuse order against them commits animal cruelty against the pet of their spouse or partner, they would face a minimum monetary fine of $2,000 and a maximum fine of $15,000.